Revision as of 20:51, 30 May 2011

The following is a user-submitted list of PCB manufacturers. Your results may vary.

This page lists "board houses" that take your custom PCB layout file and convert it to a custom printed circuit board (PCB) (ready for the next step: "assembly" adding parts). For "standard" prototyping PCBs, see stripboard and other techniques.

The Ladyada PCB Cost Comparison Calculator[1] is a quick way to compare the (very roughly estimated) price of your board at many of the following fabs.

(FIXME: briefly mention the most relevant "capabilities": "preferred" and "minimum" trace width / spacing / via hole size / via pad diameter.Link directly to the manufacturer's "capability page" so readers can confirm these numbers for themselves.Boards that push the limit of manufacturability cost more than robustly designed boards that use preferred sizes.) For more details, see Submitting PCB's for fabrication.)

A few of these board houses do some automated DRC or manual checking (or both) before fabbing your board.
If they find any issues, they email those issues to you and put the board on hold -- which typically delays the board a day or two.
However, most people consider this a good thing -- they would rather have a board a day or two later than the quoted turn time, rather than a definitely nonfunctional board immediately.

Can go to 10 mil drill and 5 mil trace/space and still get "no touch" service (very modest price increase)
Also can do outlines with up to 16 edges.

Has free BetterDFM service to check a design before fabbing.

Has a "will-call" pickup option if you live in the SF Bay area. This is nice because it cuts a day or two off your overall fab time

One disadvantage of Sierra "no-touch" is that they have a surcharge if you go over their hole density limit. (haven't seen this with other fabs)
if you have more than 50 holes per square inch - their automated system doesn't let you place the order - you have to have someone manually add a $10 surcharge per board to continue.

4-layer boards up to 30 sq in. with 7/7 are $210 for 5, including shipping. Turn time is about 10 days including DHL from China. Service is not as fast as bigger outfits like Advanced Circuits, but still fine.

Warning: We received wrong hole sizes in two orders, which BatchPCB would not acknowledge or correct even upon several emails containing very clear pictorial evidence of the error. This is very unsatisfactory.

DorkbotPDX PCB order

DorkbotPDX
is batching PCBs to get lower hobbyist friendly prices.
Although this was started primarily for the DorkbotPDX community, it's open to everyone now.

$5 per square inch for three copies of your design. Shipping by US Mail is included, and there are no setup fees. International priority mail shipping is available for a flat rate of $15.

2 layer FR-4, 0.062" thick

6 mil minimum trace/space (0.006" 0.15 mm)

15 mil clearances from traces to the edge of the board

13 mil minimum drill size

7 mil minimum annular ring

soldermask on both sides

silkscreen on both sides.

"feel free to drop me an email. I love helping people with their designs." -- Laen.

Olimex sponsors the
"PICList free PCB contest":
Every month Olimex sends a free board to the winner of that month's "open design hardware" contest.
"Tsvetan's idea is that this will encourage people to publish designs and get more good ideas out into the real world for everyone to see."

Sunstone's own free (proprietary) schematic and PCB layout software -- easy to use, but you are locked into using their service unless you're willing to pay $60 for gerber files from them[3]. Integration with ordering system simplifies the process of ordering boards. Unrestricted design size, live quoting of diki-key parts within the bill of materials view.

All orders submitted before noon ship the next day. UPS ground shipping is free. Since they are located in the Portland, OR area this means you can get a board overnight to most places in the Northwest US.

Basic service is a two layer board routed to any size and shape. Two 9 sq inch boards for $63 (including shipping). Soldermask and silkscreen doubles the price.

EAGLE CAM export and design rule check scripts are provided.

PCBexpress is apparently a division of Sunstone Circuits Quickturn service.

Free proprietary schematic and layout software, used for all board services (like PCB123). Simplifies the process of getting a board done and out, by vertically integrating the design and production flow. Fewer options and less power, but fewer ways to screw up.

Good deal on small prototypes: Mini-Board Service (3 identical boards, 2.5" X 3.8", doublesided, plated through, no silkscreen or soldermask) is priced well at $51 total, plus $10 shipping. Orders placed by 2PM ET ship the next business day by 2nd Day Air.

Review: The company is responsive and responsible. The Mini-Board service is addictively cheap and fast, and the other proto and production services are good, if not the cheapest option. Board quality is high; fine traces held up perfectly. The software is stable and simple, but tedious work for high parts-count or high-density boards.

Conclusion: The sweet spot for ExpressPCB is sparse, simple, quickly-designed boards, at low and very high quantities. At any other density or complexity, might as well learn and use Eagle or KiCAD.

Hobbyists created studio with PCB/PCBA services, they have outstanding communication among Chinese. They have some $10 offer for rather small board and $89 for combined designs. A very good alternative if you don't need it in a rush, or in large volume. Eagle files are accepted too.
"An idea about open source PCBs".

PCBs affordable for Hobbyists, Students, Semi-professionals, Spark-funners and others. An extreme simple Pool with only one type of PCB and only one delivery time. A strict “no frills” policy with no telephone lines, only one language on the website, no brochures and standard shipping packages, keeping the costs down